How to pronounce law
Say it like LAW. Law is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- LAW
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Law pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of law
American and British speakers say law in essentially the same way: /lɔ/ in the US and /lɔː/ in the UK.
British respelling: LAW.
Other ways to say law
Law also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- LAH /lɑ/
What does law mean?
- The body of binding rules and regulations, customs, and standards established in a community by its legislative and judicial authorities.“The courts interpret the law but should not make it.”
- The body of such rules that pertain to a particular topic.“property law”
- Common law, as contrasted with equity.
- To enforce the law.
- To subject to legal restrictions.
- An exclamation of mild surprise; lawks; in interjections, a minced oath for Lord.
Where does law come from?
Not related to legal, nor to French loi, Spanish ley, all of which ultimately derive from Latin lēx, from Proto-Indo-European *leǵ- (“to gather”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with law
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of law.
Questions about saying law
How do you pronounce law?
Say LAW. The American pronunciation is /lɔ/. In British English it is /lɔː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in law?
Law is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: LAW.
Do Americans and Brits say law the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /lɔ/ and the British form is /lɔː/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.